The perception of risk in contracting and spreading COVID-19 amongst individuals, households and vulnerable groups in England: a longitudinal qualitative study.

Background: Social distancing restrictions to manage the COVID-19 pandemic were put in place from March 2020 in the United Kingdom (UK), with those classed as "highly clinically vulnerable" advised to shield entirely and remain at home. However, personal risk perception has been shown to comprise of various elements beyond those outlined in the national pandemic guidance. It is unclear whether those deemed COVID-19 vulnerable identified as high-risk to COVID-19 and thus complied with the relevant advice.

Characteristics of mental health stability during COVID-19: An online survey with people residing in a city region of the North West of England.

Background And Aim: Despite the significant mental health challenges the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated government measures have presented, research has shown that the majority of people have adapted and coped well. The aim of this study was i) to determine the proportion of people with mental stability and volatility during the pandemic in a North West England city region sample and ii) to establish group differences in psychosocial variables. Mental stability and volatility refer to the extent to which individuals reported change in levels of common mental health symptoms over the course of 12 weeks.

Long-term low dose nitisinone therapy in adults with alkaptonuria shows no cognitive decline or increased severity of depression.

Little is documented on whether nitisinone-induced hypertyrosinaemia alters cognitive functioning or leads to worsening depression in alkaptonuria (AKU). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (WAIS-IV) and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) assessments were performed before and annually following treatment with nitisinone 2 mg daily to assess the impact on cognitive functioning and severity of depression. Serum tyrosine concentrations were also measured annually.

Non-visible disease, the hidden disruptive experiences of chronic illness in adversity.

: This study's principal aim was to describe the lived reality for people with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other chronic health conditions, who live in economically deprived neighbourhoods in a city in North West England. : This is a qualitative, exploratory study based on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with participants experiencing compromised cardiovascular health, conducted in August 2017. The study sample comprised 14 adults (3 females) aged 54 to 76.

Debt Counselling for Depression in Primary Care: an adaptive randomised controlled pilot trial (DeCoDer study).

Background: Depression and debt are common in the UK. Debt Counselling for Depression in Primary Care: an adaptive randomised controlled pilot trial (DeCoDer) aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the addition of a primary care debt counselling advice service to usual care for patients with depression and debt. However, the study was terminated early during the internal pilot trial phase because of recruitment delays.

Care home manager attitudes to balancing risk and autonomy for residents with dementia.

Objective: To determine how care home managers negotiate the conflict between maintaining a safe environment while enabling the autonomy of residents with dementia. This is important because there is limited research with care home managers; yet, they are key agents in the implementation of national policies.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 managers from care homes offering dementia care in the Northwest of England.

Community Engagement in a complex intervention to improve access to primary mental health care for hard-to-reach groups.

Background: Despite the availability of effective evidence-based treatments for depression and anxiety, many 'harder-to-reach' social and patient groups experience difficulties accessing treatment. We developed a complex intervention, the AMP (Improving Access to Mental Health in Primary Care) programme, which combined community engagement (CE), tailored (individual and group) psychosocial interventions and primary care involvement.

Objectives: To develop and evaluate a model for community engagement component of the complex intervention.

Development and evaluation of culturally sensitive psychosocial interventions for under-served people in primary care.

Background: Psychological therapy is effective for symptoms of mental distress, but many groups with high levels of mental distress face significant barriers in terms of access to care, as current interventions may not be sensitive to their needs or their understanding of mental health. There is a need to develop forms of psychological therapy that are acceptable to these groups, feasible to deliver in routine settings, and clinically and cost effective.

Methods: We developed a culturally sensitive wellbeing intervention with individual, group and sign-posting elements, and tested its feasibility and acceptability for patients from ethnic minorities and older people in an exploratory randomised trial.

The space of access to primary mental health care: a qualitative case study.

Guided by theoretical perspectives of relational social science, this paper draws on reanalyses of multiple qualitative datasets related to a multi-ethnic, economically disadvantaged area in Liverpool, UK, with the aim to advance general understanding of access to primary mental health care while using local Somali minority as an instrumental focus. The findings generate a novel concept: the space of access. The shape and dynamics of the space of access are determined by at least four fields of tensions: understandings of area and community; cognitive mapping of mental well-being, illness and care; positioning of primary care services; and dynamics of resources beyond the 'medical zone' of care.

Researching the mental health needs of hard-to-reach groups: managing multiple sources of evidence.

Background: Common mental health problems impose substantial challenges to patients, carers, and health care systems. A range of interventions have demonstrable efficacy in improving the lives of people experiencing such problems. However many people are disadvantaged, either because they are unable to access primary care, or because access does not lead to adequate help.